The Indianapolis Colts won't have to look far for a new starting right tackle, but the former one will be a problem, too. Braden Smith is leaving Indy after agreeing to terms with the AFC South rivals, the Houston Texans, for two seasons and a maximum of $25 million.
The move isn't overly shocking as the Texans needed a right tackle and had been linked to Smith for the last month or so. Houston also didn't have to overspend to get the tackle. He had been projected to get as much as $15 million on the open markets, but won't receive that.
For Indianapolis, the team has Jalen Travis, who filled in for Smith in several games this past season. The rookie was good enough to make Smith expendable. Now, Travis has to perform at the same level as Smith for the foreseeable future, and that won't be so easy.
Houston Texans steal Braden Smith from the Indianapolis Colts in free agency
While Smith wasn't quite as good in terms of run-blocking in 2025, he has been a well-rounded force on the right side for the Colts for the last eight seasons after being a second-round draft pick in 2018.
Ultimately, however, Indianapolis couldn't afford to pay Braden Smith what he was worth, even if the Colts wanted to. Indy entered free agency over the cap, and after agreeing to terms with wide receiver Alec Pierce and slapping the transition tag on quarterback Daniel Jones, Indianapolis doesn't have a lot of money to spend.
At least, Jalen Travis can soothe the wound of losing Smith. Though Smith going to the Texans makes Houston's offensive line better, which might keep them one tick (or three ticks) better than the Indianapolis Colts. Indy is going to have to go through the Texans and the Jacksonville Jaguars for the AFC South title, and that just got more difficult with Braden Smith in Houston.
The move is a smart one for general manager Chris Ballard. Smith will be past 30 years old soon, has a younger player to take his spot, and is at a cheaper rate. Ballard was a good guy to have on the team, but the NFL can be a brutal business, and the Colts just chose to let the right tackle leave.